Very Classy Debut

21 October, 2024

Very Classy Debut


Having his first start, Class (3 g Embellish – Opulent, by Keeper) comfortably won the $18,500 Summit Electrical Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 20 October at Waverley.

From a family well known to Te Akau, Class had begun quickly from barrier one to lead then trail, travelled well nearing the home turn, and sustained a good effort for fourth when trialling on 8 October at Matamata.

The trial obviously set him up nicely to debut and he used similar tactics in winning.

Ridden by last season's Champion Apprentice Lily Sutherland (a1), Class was away smartly to lead, travelled evenly at the head of affairs, and drew out in the straight to win easing down by three and a quarter lengths.

On Soft5 footing, Class ran 1400 metres on 1:24.2, last 600m in 35.7 (approx.), and reduced in betting from $14.00 & $4.20 fixed to pay $9.60 & $3.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

It was a terrific first-up performance, one that should hold him in good stead going forward, and signalled a perfect start for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, who the day beforehand lined up three runners for two winners, with debutante juvenile Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel) scoring at Otaki, to provide past Te Akau trained Champion Two-Year-Old Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel) his first winner, and Legally Binding (Exceedance) made it back-to-back wins when scoring at Ellerslie.

“It was a lovely positive ride by Lily (Sutherland) and he’ll only get better as we step him up over more distance,” Walker said.

“He was bred out at the farm, so he’s had plenty of time to develop and it’s always great to see the horses bred at Te Akau Stud as weanlings, then yearlings, and train on to win the way he did.

“He may become the type once we get him up in trip, and with further maturity, that he could have a nice staying future.”

Te Akau racing manager Reece Trumper, added: “He’d come on well since the trial and his work this week was really good, and Rylee Sheehan who rides him work said he’s actually going better than you think.

“The 1400 metres was obviously good, because he had time to get himself into a rhythm, rather than be pressured early over 1200 metres.

“The progeny of Embellish are going well and there’s no reason they shouldn’t because he had a beautiful pedigree. I expect he’ll be picking up quite a few mares between now and December with the way the progeny are racing. 

“I think they’re nice types and they just look like they’re going to keep getting better as four, five, and six-year-olds. 

“Class is going to keep heading south to our stable at Riccarton, and we’ll find some nice races down there leading up to the South Island Guineas’ races. That’s as long as he keeps on improving.”

A Te Akau homebred, bred by the Te Akau Opulent Syndicate, Class is by Embellish (Savabeel), whom David Ellis CNZM purchased as a yearling at Karaka, to win the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas 1600m before standing at Cambridge Stud, while Ellis also purchased dam Opulent, who won three races, finished fifth at Group Three level, and has now left four individual winners of 11 races.

Te Akau has now trained three of those winners, with Luxuriant (Iffraaj) winning four times, and Plenty O’ Style (Embellish), who scored last season over a mile, now back in work and preparing to trial in December.

Headed by Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas runner-up Talisker, who recorded a hat-trick of wins prior and was named Champion South Island Three-Year-Old last season, Class became the seventh Te Akau trained winner by Embellish, whose oldest progeny are four-year-olds and a sire with a burgeoning future.

Embellish has been represented by Chairman’s Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) winner Bold Soul, trained by Patrick & Michelle Payne, who previously won the Lauceston Guineas (Gr. 3, 2100m) and Tasmanian Derby (Gr. 3, 2200m), along with stakes performers Talisker and What You Wish For, trained by Walker & Bergeson, and recent Sweynesse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1215m) winner Luberon, the winner of five races who provided the sire with his first winner when scoring on debut as a two-year-old. 

“It’s always especially exciting for us, and the Te Akau owners that breed horses like this, to see them win,” Ellis said.

“Opulent is from one of the best families in the studbook and a beautiful filly with plenty of strength and great balance when we bought her as a yearling at Karaka.

“She was a smart filly that worked effortlessly and looked the part when trialling as a two-year-old, and while she may not have reached the heights we hoped for, she has become a great mother and bred talented horses.

“We’re lucky to be breeding from a mare like her. Keeper (Danehill) is a great sire of fillies and we have already trained a Filly of the Year by Keeper, Insouciant.

“We’ve been really impressed with the progeny of Embellish and think is standing at great value ($5,000) at Cambridge Stud. It’s always looked as though his oldest would be even better this season as four-year-olds, and we’re seeing that.”

The third dam, Dancing Show, is by Nijinsky (Northern Dancer) and the family includes Group One winners: Redoute’s Choice, Platinum Scissors, Manhattan Rain, Umatilla, and Hurricane Sky. 

Of note, a family member was purchased for $1.9m at Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, and the dam of Opulent, Silk Slipper (Woodman), was retired through injury after finishing second at her only start.

Class was strapped by Kendyll Lee. 


Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz


Back

Stay in touch

Sign up to Te Akau's newsletter